Alec French, a locally-based architecture firm, has been selected to lead a comprehensive retrofit initiative that will transform dozens of disused properties across Bristol into energy-efficient council homes. The project is part of Bristol City Council's Move On accommodation program, which launched in 2020 with the goal of providing sustainable housing options for individuals recovering from homelessness by repairing and reusing long-term vacant council housing stock.

The firm is currently managing five separate development schemes throughout the city, each designed to create modern, energy-efficient living spaces from previously abandoned buildings. Among the most significant projects is the conversion of empty offices and retail spaces at The Square in Knowle, which will be transformed into seven residential homes. Additionally, the company is converting a parade of shops on Kingsland Road to provide eight temporary homes, while a single disused store in Avonvale is being converted into one residential unit.

Alec French has also reached the site delivery phase for another major project involving the conversion of a residential building on Amercombe Walk into four separate apartments. This development features comprehensive amenities including built-in bicycle storage, refuse collection facilities, and private garden spaces for each individual unit. The design emphasizes both functionality and resident comfort, incorporating sustainable living principles throughout the conversion process.

The architecture firm is currently in discussions with Bristol City Council regarding additional retrofit opportunities in the Stockwood area, which would create approximately 10 more homes. These proposed units would include family-sized accommodations with full wheelchair accessibility features, serving as both permanent and temporary housing solutions for the Move On project participants.

Louis Lane, Associate Director at Alec French, emphasized the social impact of these developments, stating: "These properties have been specially redesigned to provide much-needed temporary and sustainable accommodation for Bristol's homeless and those in real need of safe, comfortable homes. We're proud to be involved in this pioneering project to help people rebuild their lives and make the transition from homelessness towards independent living."

The firm brings extensive experience to this initiative, having previously designed Bristol Council's low-carbon residential development at Lawrence Weston and the LaunchPad project in Fishponds, which successfully delivered affordable housing for low-income households. This track record demonstrates their commitment to sustainable, socially conscious architectural solutions.

Barry Parsons, Chair of the council's Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, highlighted the broader significance of the initiative: "There is no single solution to the temporary accommodation challenge we and other councils face, but it is clear that whilst the housing crisis continues to cast a shadow over the city, we will continue to face difficulties in ensuring support is there for those who need housing. Bringing empty buildings back into use while helping people recover from homelessness is a win-win for Bristol."

Parsons further outlined the city's ambitious goals, explaining: "We want to make Bristol a city where rough sleeping is rare, brief and non-recurrent, and any stay in temporary accommodation is short, safe, and secure." This comprehensive approach addresses both immediate housing needs and long-term urban sustainability goals.

The announcement coincides with a significant transition within Alec French, as the firm's long-serving director Mark Osborne has announced his retirement. Osborne, who is 65 years old, joined the practice in 1987 after previously working for Whicheloe Macfarlane from 1984, bringing decades of architectural expertise to the company's portfolio of socially impactful projects.